Khaberni - The Tunisian security authorities announced on Monday the arrest of one of the most dangerous drug dealers in the capital, with sentences against him totaling up to 240 years in prison, in addition to being wanted in 101 search notices for various criminal cases.
The Ministry of Interior clarified that the police squad in the Sidi Hussein area managed to apprehend the suspect red-handed with 23 narcotic pills during an intense security campaign around educational institutions, confirming that the operation comes as part of extensive efforts to combat the spread of drugs among students and youth.
The campaign also resulted in the arrest of more than 30 other dealers, some of whom are dangerous criminal elements linked to drug trafficking networks around schools and institutes.
These developments come just a week after the authorities announced the seizure of more than 11 million hallucinogenic tablets (Ecstasy) and about 500 kilograms of various drugs, in one of the biggest security strikes against drug traffickers.
The campaign coincided with a call from President Kais Saied to the Minister of Interior to tighten oversight around educational institutions and enhance efforts against drug networks.
Experts warn that Tunisia has not only become a passageway for drug smuggling to Europe and neighboring countries, but has turned into an active consumption market, while human rights organizations indicate that drug cases represent about a third of the judicial files in Tunisian prisons.
